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I tried Chops on Enchantment in June. I ordered a Medium Rare Filet. It came more medium well. I was miffed when the waiter suggest I look at it under the light that it really is Medium Rare. It was so dry. They cooked me a new one but it came mooing. They put it back on for a few minutes and it was really good. It was an okay experience, will think about going again. Oh and they brought us free champagne for our trouble. Right outside the door was the captains reception! Don't think it was anything special, just snagged a few off the tray before they sent them out to the captains party. We will try it again, maybe on another ship. I have had over cooked Chops filet in the MDR on Enchantment too. I had an amazing Chops filet in the MDR on Freedom.

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11-18-2012 Allure of the Seas
03-16-2012 Navigator of the Seas
03-25-2013 Freedom of the Seas
06-24-2013 Enchantment of the Seas
03-23-2014 Independence of the Seas
Bunches more. Stopped listing them.

I think Chops is worth it. DH thinks it's boring, takes way too long, and the food isn't that good. Last cruise he said he was done with Chops. Surprise! We're dining at Chops on Oasis as a gift, so he'll have to grin and bear it.

cruising next week and already signed up for MTD for our family of 5 (2 adults and 3 children ages 18, 13, 12)...so as I understand it our meal tips are already pre-paid....if we do eat at Chops I will be paying $30.00 per person (5 x $30.00 = $150.00)....does MTD tips cover the tip for eating in Chops ?....if so and service was exceptional I would still tip additional.

if not what tip $$$ would be expected/suffice for our dinner party of 5....(what $$$ amount would I base the tip on ~ the $150.00 or an estimated total dollar amount of what is actually ordered) ?

cruising next week and already signed up for MTD for our family of 5 (2 adults and 3 children ages 18, 13, 12)...so as I understand it our meal tips are already pre-paid....if we do eat at Chops I will be paying $30.00 per person (5 x $30.00 = $150.00)....does MTD tips cover the tip for eating in Chops ?....if so and service was exceptional I would still tip additional.

if not what tip $$$ would be expected/suffice for our dinner party of 5....(what $$$ amount would I base the tip on ~ the $150.00 or an estimated total dollar amount of what is actually ordered) ?

thanks I appreciate any expert CC feedback......

Your $30 per person fee includes gratuity, so no need to tip extra. Of course, if you thought the service was exceptional, you could at your discretion. The tips from MTD are completely separate and should be considered a sunk cost, you do not get credit back should you choose not to eat in the main dining room.

I think $30 for a good steak, sides, appetizers, and dessert is worth the money. No decent steakhouse in your hometown will give you that kind of value.

The Celebration Dining Deal allows you to book a specialty restaurant for four or more people on either Day 1 or Day 2 and get a free $30 credit for beverages. It's available to book online through the Pre-Cruise Planner.

We had a group of 14 dine at Chops on Freedom last October, so we booked three of these deals to maximize our free wine credit.

Your $30 per person fee includes gratuity, so no need to tip extra. Of course, if you thought the service was exceptional, you could at your discretion. The tips from MTD are completely separate and should be considered a sunk cost, you do not get credit back should you choose not to eat in the main dining room.

I think $30 for a good steak, sides, appetizers, and dessert is worth the money. No decent steakhouse in your hometown will give you that kind of value.

thank you labeachcomber....appreciate the detailed explanation....I asked 3 different RCL phone CSR's and none could give me the answer...again CC members know the answers.....

I have been a handful of times. I always order a filet mignon. Most of the time, it's delicious, but the last couple of times the steak had no flavor. I don't like having to rely on sauces for flavor to my steaks!

We will be on FOS in April and I would like to try to Chops. With all the "free" food I'm hesitant to spend another $30.00/pp for dinner. Please tell me "Is it Worth" the extra expense? Also, my DD age 14 will be with us, when I go to make reservations it allows me to book her as well - I would have thought this was an "adult" only dining experience? Am I correct that she will be allowed to dine with us?

Thanks,
Tammy

We went to Chops on our wedding night with our 10 sailing guests, and it was the best meal we had for the entire 12 nights.
Each time I ordered steak in the MDR it wasn't cooked enough (I'm a well done girl). In Chops it was cooked to perfection!! My new husband and I had the filet mignon, and they 'butterflied' mine to ensure it was cooked thoroughly. It was beautiful!!

The brought out 2 of each side/accompaniment so we didn't have to order any of them.

Although we had purchased a wedding cake onboard, we had technically paid for starter, main and dessert so all of us ordered dessert too!! They were amazing- biggest slice of red velvet cake I've ever seen!

John, the cruise director came past to wish us well and bought us a round of drinks and coffees too which was a lovely touch!!

Personally, I feel like the quality of Chops has gone downhill. On my last cruise, multiple tables had to send back meat that was overcooked - ours was one of them. Somehow, I would think that the chef in Chops should know the difference between medium rare and well done.

We usually get the filet, but in the past couple of years, I noticed that the filets are coming out completely dry - almost like they were pre-cooked and all the juice ran out - and now they were just reheating them. Maybe it has something to do with the way they are defrosted. I don't know. They're just not as good as they used to be.

They also seem to have cut back on staff a little, so the service is not quite what it used to be. The worst is on Oasis and Allure where they seem to consistently overbook, and the service and food suffer tremendously. Those ships are the only times that I've had an unpleasant experience in Chops.

Yes, it is better than the main dining room. I just find myself questioning the $30. I strongly prefer Portofino or Giovanni's Table over Chops when they're available and they're only $20. (And you can get the same filet there and it's usually better.)

So, yes I'm still going. But only with the BOGO coupon or if my travel agent has paid for it.